Vehicle Conveyor System

Abstract

Apparatus for use in an area of vehicular traffic is disclosed. The area is of the type having a vehicle receiving area whereat a stream of vehicles arrive, randomly spaced-apart from one another in time and further having a point to which vehicles travel from the vehicle receiving area. The apparatus comprises a transport device adapted to transport vehicles, in use, from the receiving area to the point at independently variable rates of speed to permit vehicles to be turned off at the receiving area while maintaining a flow of vehicles, spaced-apart from one another, to the point. The point can be a pinch point, whereat the speed of vehicular travel is constrained. The apparatus can form part of a drive-through restaurant, wherein the drive-through window defines the pinch point in use.

Description

[0001]CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)[0002]This application claims the benefit of Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) Application No. PCT / CA2008 / 001990 that was filed on Nov. 12, 2008 and further claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application entitled “Vehicle Conveyor System,” having Ser. No. 60 / 987,452, and filed on Nov. 13, 2007.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0003]The present invention relates to the field of drive-through operations.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]Drive-through operations are of substantial importance. For example, in the current restaurant industry, in many restaurants, a large proportion of revenues are derived from drive-through operations.[0005]In a typical drive-through restaurant operation, a roadway passes in close proximity to a restaurant facility having a take-out window. Along the roadway leading to the drive-through window is located a communication device, namely, a combination microphone / speaker. In use, vehicles arriving at the restauran...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]A drive-through establishment forms another aspect of the invention. This establishment is of the type having: a vehicle receiving area whereat a stream of vehicles arrive, randomly spaced-apart from one another in time; and a pinch point to which vehicles travel from the vehicle receiving area and whereat the speed of vehicular travel is constrained. This establishment comprises: a transport device adapted to transport vehicles, in use, from the receiving area to the pinch point at independently variable rates of speed to permit vehicles to be turned off at the receiving area while maintaining a flow of vehicles, spaced-apart from one another, to the pinch point. Sensors can be arrayed at points intermediate the receiving area and the pinch point to detect the locations of vehicles; and a logic controller in communication with the sensors can drive the transport device to avoid collisions of vehicles in transport. The pinch point can be defined by a service window in a retail establishment.

[0008]Apparatus for use in an area of vehicular traffic forms another aspect of the invention. The area is of the type having: a vehicle receiving area whereat a stream of vehicles arrive, randomly spaced-apart from one another in time; a first pinch point to which vehicles travel from the vehicle receiving area and whereat the speed of vehicular travel is constrained; and a second pinch point to which vehicles travel from the first pinch point and whereat the speed of vehicular travel is constrained. This apparatus comprises a transport device adapted to transport vehicles from the receiving area to the second pinch point at independently variable rates of speed to permit the vehicles to be turned off at the receiving area while maintaining a flow of vehicles, spaced-apart from one another, to the second pinch point. This apparatus can form part of a drive-through establishment also comprising: a communication device; and a facility having a service window and in communication with the communication device to receive orders therefrom. In the drive-through establishment, the communication device defines the first pinch point and the service window defines the second pinch point. The transport device can comprise more than one conveyor. Each conveyor can be independently actuable at an independently-variable rate of speed. The conveyors can be conveyor belts. The communication device can move generally parallel to and in concert with one of the one or more conveyors to permit, in use, an occupant of a vehicle in motion on said one conveyor to communicate with the facility. The communication device can be rail-mounted. Sensors can be arrayed along the conveyors to detect the locations of vehicles and a logic controller in communication with the sensors can drive the conveyors to avoid collisions of vehicles in transport.

Problems solved by technology

The queues are problematic from the standpoint of carbon dioxide emissions associated with idling.

As well, long queues will cause many vehicle operators to reconsider the use of the drive-through, leading to lost restaurant revenues.

Finally, in-queue collisions are not infrequent, and cause complications to the drive-through operators.

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